The SPHINX
(Secret Project for High Intensity and New Conflicts) was developed
by Panhard as a private venture to meet a French Army EBCR (Engine
Blinde de Reconnaissance et de Combat) requirement. The EBRC stands
for armored vehicle for reconnaissance and combat. A new armored
vehicle is intended to replace the ageing
AMX-10RC and
ERC-90 Sagaie
reconnaissance vehicles. French Army
has a requirement for up to 300 new machines of this type. A mock-up of the Panhard SPHINX was revealed in 2010. The Panhard is expected to
compete against Nexter and Renault to meet this requirement.
Deliveries of new reconnaissance vehicles are expected to begin in
2018. The SPHINX is also being proposed for export customers.

The 6x6
Panhard SPHINX was revealed alongside a lighter 4x4
Panhard CRAB
armored car. Both of these armored vehicles are highly mobile and are based
on renewed light cavalry doctrine, where small, but fast and well armed
armored vehicles taking an active combat role. The SPHINX is capable of reconnaissance, fire support
and rapid intervention.

Vehicle has
an all-welded steel hull with add-on armor. Add-on armor allows to
tailor the vehicle in field conditions to suit mission requirements.
Armor of the SPHINX provides all-round protection against 14.5-mm
armor-piercing rounds and artillery shell fragments. Improved
protection for the front arc against 25-mm armor-piercing
projectiles is proposed as an option. Some areas of this combat
vehicle are covered
with slat armor for increased protection against rocket propelled
grenades. Vehicle has a V-shaped hull and withstands 10 kg anti-tank
mine blasts. It is fitted with NBC protection system for the crew.
It also has a laser warning receiver.

This
reconnaissance vehicle is fitted with a two-man turret, armed with a
fully-stabilized 40-mm automatic gun. The whole turret was developed
by Lockheed Martin for the upgrade of the British Army
Warrior infantry fighting vehicle. It
is worth mentioning that initial version of the SPHINX revealed in
2010 was fitted with a Belgian CMI turret. It was later replaced
with the Lockheed Martin turret in order to cut production costs. The
40-mm gun has a rate
of fire of about 180 rounds per minute. Vehicle also has four
long-range anti-tank missile launchers.
Pods with missiles are mounted on either side of the turret.
Also there is a 7.62-mm machine gun, mounted coaxially with the main
gun.

This
reconnaissance and combat vehicle has a crew of three.

Vehicle is
powered by a turbocharged diesel engine, developing 600 hp. It is
expected to be German Mercedes or MTU, or Austrian Steyr unit.
Engine is located at the rear and is coupled with automatic
transmission. All wheels on the SPHINX are steered and it has good
cross-country mobility. A central tyre inflation system is fitted.
This machine is also fitted with run-flat tyres. Vehicle is not amphibious.

This
reconnaissance vehicle can be airlifted by the
C-130 Hercules or larger military cargo aircraft.